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Seamus Byrne

Founder and Head of Content at Byteside. Brings two decades of experience covering tech, digital culture, and their impacts on society.

New Realities

Beat Saber is the amazing virtual reality game we've sorely needed

Every digital art form has its breakthrough moments, when the right experience arrives at the right time to show us what's possible and inspires many others

Beat Saber is the amazing virtual reality game we've sorely needed
Culture

Netflix admits to running ad tests for some unsuspecting binge watchers

When you're mainlining a TV show in an epic weekend binge session, do you want some ads thrown into the mix?

Netflix admits to running ad tests for some unsuspecting binge watchers
Games

What I learnt watching live esports with French commentary (and I only speak English)

The beauty of sport is that it doesn't matter your language, you can share a love for the competition that transcends communication barriers.

What I learnt watching live esports with French commentary (and I only speak English)
Technology

Your next smartphone really might be ready to replace your desktop

It's been a long promise of smart, powerful handheld devices. That soon we would be unshackled from the need to carry large screened laptops everywhere and

Your next smartphone really might be ready to replace your desktop
Culture

You can buy an iconic Ferris Bueller 'Ferrari' at auction next week

Life moves pretty fast. And so does this legendary vehicle straight off the set of Ferris Bueller - and it goes under the hammer next week!

You can buy an iconic Ferris Bueller 'Ferrari' at auction next week
Media

Facebook and Instagram add hidden modes to help you quit them

Feeling like you're on FB and the 'gram a little too much? Would you like to check your usage - and set limits to remind yourself to do something else now and

Facebook and Instagram add hidden modes to help you quit them
Culture

Neighbourhoods on Google Maps aren't as official as you'd think

How do suburbs and neighbourhoods get their names? That seems to be changing in the age of Google Maps, according to an amazing story at The New York Times.

Neighbourhoods on Google Maps aren't as official as you'd think
Technology

Vector: the cute new robot that's half pet, half assistant

We've all dreamed of owning a family robot, but so far it's been toys that spend most of their time in cupboards, or it's been vacuum cleaners.

Vector: the cute new robot that's half pet, half assistant
Culture

Of Pauldrons, Patience and Petty Arson: Warcraft's storytelling challenge

Last week a fire rocked World of Warcraft. It was an epic act of petulance, strategically foolish. It seemed bizarrely out of character for a beloved

Of Pauldrons, Patience and Petty Arson: Warcraft's storytelling challenge
Games

The future for Warcraft storytelling: Part Three

This week we've explored the technicalities and the teamwork that has worked to develop World of Warcraft into the game it has become over its fourteen year history.

The future for Warcraft storytelling: Part Three
Technology

iOS 12 beta code suggests new iPhones could get dual-SIM support

According to 9to5Mac, code spotted in the latest iOS 12 beta suggests future iPhones could be getting support for dual SIM cards - a feature frequent

iOS 12 beta code suggests new iPhones could get dual-SIM support
Games

How Warcraft builds stories players care about: Part Two

Want more insight into the World of Warcraft storytelling process? Step right up.

How Warcraft builds stories players care about: Part Two
Games

How World of Warcraft keeps evolving its epic storytelling: Part One

Game storytelling doesn't get much more epic than the Warcraft universe. Next year the franchise turns 25 years old, and in two weeks World of Warcraft goes

How World of Warcraft keeps evolving its epic storytelling: Part One
Big Ideas

World Cup 2018 VAR technology: the fan verdict

As the dust settles on the 2018 FIFA World Cup, a survey of football fans has delivered an interesting verdict on the tournament's introduction of a Video

World Cup 2018 VAR technology: the fan verdict
Esports

Uber Chats: Mitch 'Uber' Leslie on life as an Overwatch commentator

I love watching any sport played at an elite level. Seeing the best of the best go head-to-head is its own reward.

Uber Chats: Mitch 'Uber' Leslie on life as an Overwatch commentator
Technology

Samsung just announced an unbreakable OLED screen that could change everything

Samsung just saved your phone from, well - you - in the best way possible.

Samsung just announced an unbreakable OLED screen that could change everything
Culture

This Aston Martin DB5 LEGO kit sneaks in many James Bond secrets

Bond fans, LEGO has a dazzlingly slick new kit for you. The new 1964 Aston Martin DB5 isn't just any LEGO replica.

This Aston Martin DB5 LEGO kit sneaks in many James Bond secrets
Games

A chat with Hearthstone's Dean Ayala & Peter Whalen about some marvellous magnetic mechs

The next big expansion for Hearthstone, The Boomsday Project, launches August 7! It's full of science and technology of the weird-fantasy kind. Just the way

A chat with Hearthstone's Dean Ayala & Peter Whalen about some marvellous magnetic mechs
Technology

Aston Martin's Autonomous Flying Car Concept Is Sleek And Sexy

In the age where companies like Terrafugia and Opener are actually building and testing flying cars, putting out a concept design and video can seem a bit

Aston Martin's Autonomous Flying Car Concept Is Sleek And Sexy
Culture

Nathan Fillion stars as Nathan Drake in a totally unauthorised Uncharted short film

Nathan Fillion as Nathan Drake. If you know both those names, you should get that it's such a good fit. And some things are just too perfect to live.

Nathan Fillion stars as Nathan Drake in a totally unauthorised Uncharted short film